Life is so much calmer with Allah. As believers, we worry, we feel sad and we feel anger but there is a calmness that comes with it too - an anchor that keeps the boat steady and rooted even when the waves are violent: and that is Allah.
Over the years I’ve felt the power of dua and how it is our weapon, a weapon strong enough to even change what has been written in Lauh al Mahfuz, a weapon strong enough to change our fates. [1]
And over the years I’ve felt the calmness that comes with istikharah, and being denied of things that I cried over and over again for, that I begged Allah for but never gotten — only to be redirected to a better path, a path that is much better than the one I begged for.
SubhanAllah it’s unbelievable everytime I think about it. It’s true what Allah said, “But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not.” [2]
Now when my heart is fond of something, or when I am confused over my decisions, or when I am scared and nervous and overwhelmed, I turn to Allah.
Is this really good for me, ya Rabb? Oh Allah, You are my creator, You created me out of nothing, and at one point I am unmentioned, unheard of, and you made me, ya Rabbi. I bow down in prayer and say the du'a of istikharah:
"O Allaah, I seek Your guidance [in making a choice] by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power, I have none. And You know, I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things. O Allaah, if in Your knowledge, this matter (then it should be mentioned by name) is good for me both in this world and in the Hereafter (or: in my religion, my livelihood and my affairs), then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if in Your knowledge it is bad for me and for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs (or: for me both in this world and the next), then turn me away from it, [and turn it away from me], and ordain for me the good wherever it may be and make me pleased with it." [3]
Help me, my Lord..
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[1] "Nothing can change the Divine decree except du’aa’." (Narrated by Ahmad, 5/677; Ibn Maajah, 90; al-Tirmidhi, 139.
Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 76687. See also al-Saheehah, 145).
[2] Surah al Baqarah (2:216)
[3] Reported by al-Bukhaari, 6841; similar reports are also recorded by al-Tirmidhi, al-Nisaai, Abu Dawood, Ibn Maajah and Ahmad.
